U.S. patent number 4,453,585 [Application Number 06/282,020] was granted by the patent office on 1984-06-12 for window thermal insulation device.
Invention is credited to James R. Moniz, Bruno Ruggeberg, Sr..
United States Patent |
4,453,585 |
Ruggeberg, Sr. , et
al. |
June 12, 1984 |
Window thermal insulation device
Abstract
Window thermal insulation device for thermal insulation of a
window opening area, including a plurality of linear members
arranged in successive end to end relation for forming a perimetric
selectively sized and shaped enclosure frame defining a window
space therewithin, a like plurality of interconnectors for
interconnecting the adjacent ends of the linear members, linear
locking grooves in the linear members and extending therealong
peripherally outwardly of the window space, a pliable plastic
thermal insulation sheet extending across the window space of the
frame and having its peripheral margins disposed correspondingly in
the locking grooves of the linear members, a like plurality of
linear cover strips having linear locking tongues projecting
therefrom and disposed correspondingly in gripping contact with the
adjacent portions of the peripheral margins of the plastic sheet
and in releasable locking engagement with the adjacent locking
grooves and arranged for maintaining the plastic sheet in
substantially taut condition across the window space, and
perimetric compression thermal insulation sealing means, e.g. of
resilient compressible sponge material, extending along the linear
members peripherally outwardly of the enclosure frame for
compression sealing contact peripherally outwardly against a
counterpart receiving frame portion of an existing correspondingly
sized and shaped window opening structure to be thermally insulated
thereby, preferably with retaining insert means being provided in
the ends of the linear members for correspondingly receiving the
interconnectors thereat.
Inventors: |
Ruggeberg, Sr.; Bruno
(Gardnerville, NV), Moniz; James R. (Minden, NV) |
Family
ID: |
23079752 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/282,020 |
Filed: |
July 10, 1981 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
160/354;
160/368.1; 160/380; 52/202; 52/222 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B
5/0692 (20130101); E06B 3/28 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E06B
3/28 (20060101); E06B 3/04 (20060101); F16B
5/06 (20060101); E06B 003/26 () |
Field of
Search: |
;52/202,203,222,377,125.2,63 ;160/354,368,380 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Raduazo; Henry E.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Window thermal insulation device for thermal insulation of a
window opening area comprising:
a plurality of linear members arranged in successive longitudinal
end to end conforming abutment relation for forming thereby a
perimetric selectively sized and shaped enclosure frame defining a
window space therewithin and having an outer perimetric edge
portion,
a corresponding plurality of interconnectors arranged for
interconnecting correspondingly the adjacent ends of the linear
members and for maintaining the linear members in successive end to
end interconnected stable disposition,
linear locking groove means defined in the linear members and
extending therealong peripherally outwardly of the window space and
inwardly of the outer edge portion,
a pliable plastic thermal insulation sheet extending across the
window space of the frame and having its peripheral margins
disposed correspondingly in the locking groove means of the linear
members,
a corresponding plurality of linear cover strips located externally
on the frame and situated within the confines thereof between the
window space and the outer edge portion and having linear locking
tongue means projecting therefrom and disposed correspondingly in
compression gripping contact with the adjacent portions of the
peripheral margins of the plastic sheet and in compression locking
engagement with the adjacent locking groove means and arranged for
thereby maintaining the plastic sheet in substantially taut
condition across the window space and the peripheral margins of the
plastic sheet correspondingly in compressively lockingly engaged
condition, and
perimetric compression thermal insulation sealing means of
resilient compressible fluid impervious sponge material in the form
of an outer facial layer continuously extending along the outer
edge portion of the linear members peripherally outwardly of the
enclosure frame for compression sealing facial contact peripherally
outwardly against a counterpart receiving frame portion of an
existing correspondingly sized and shaped window opening structure
to be thermally insulated thereby.
2. Device according to claim 1 wherein retaining means are
internally provided within the corresponding longitudinal end
portions of the linear members and the interconnectors are internal
interconnectors successively insertingly received in the
correspondingly opposed retaining means at the adjacent
longitudinal end portions of the linear members and arranged in
completely hidden condition internally within the linear members
for interconnecting the adjacent ends of the linear members and for
maintaining the linear members in successive end to end
interconnected stable disposition.
3. Device according to claim 2 wherein the retaining means are
arranged to embrace substantially surroundingly captively the
adjacent portions of the interconnectors insertingly received
therein and are crimped thereagainst for maintaining the
interconnectors in substantially stationary disposition
therein.
4. Device according to claim 1 wherein the locking tongue means of
the cover strips include corresponding gripping tongues and seating
tongues and the locking groove means of the linear members include
corresponding counterpart gripping tongue receiving grooves and
seating tongue receiving grooves for operatively compressingly
receiving the gripping tongues and seating tongues for thereby
maintaining the cover strips in substantially stationary
disposition on the linear members with the adjacent portions of the
peripheral margins of the plastic sheet interposed in compression
gripping engagement between the gripping tongues and gripping
tongue receiving grooves and with the seating tongues in
compression seating engagement with the seating tonque receiving
grooves.
5. Device according to claim 4 wherein the seating tongues are
located peripherally outwardly of the gripping tongues and the
seating tongue receiving grooves are located peripherally outwardly
of the gripping tongue receiving grooves and the adjacent portions
of the peripheral margins of the plastic sheet extend peripherally
outwardly to the seating tongue receiving grooves and are also
interposed in compression gripping engagement between the seating
tongues and seating tongue receiving grooves.
6. Device according to claim 4 wherein the gripping tongues are
provided with friction enhancing roughened surface portions
arranged for enhanced compression friction gripping surface contact
with the corresponding adjacent portions of the peripheral margins
of the plastic sheet thereat.
7. Device according to claim 1 wherein the plastic sheet is a light
admitting and fluid impervious sheet.
8. Device according to claim 7 wherein the plastic sheet is
substantially dimensionally stable within its own plane and
substantially resistant to tension forces acting in the resultant
direction of its own plane.
9. Window thermal insulation device for thermal insulation of a
window opening area comprising
a plurality of linear structural members arranged in successive
longitudinal end to end conforming abutment relation for forming
thereby a perimetric selectively sized and polygonally shaped
planar enclosure frame defining a window space therewithin and
having an outer perimetric edge portion,
retaining means internally disposed within the corresponding
longitudinal end portions of the linear members,
a corresponding plurality of stabilizing angular internal
interconnectors successors insertingly received in the
correspondingly opposed retaining means at the adjacent end
portions of the linear members and arranged in completely hidden
condition internally within the linear members for interconnecting
correspondingly the adjacent ends of the linear members and for
maintaining the linear members in successive end to end
interconnected stable disposition,
corresponding linear gripping tongue receiving grooves and linear
seating tongue receiving grooves defined in the linear members and
extending therealong peripherally outwardly of the window space and
inwardly of the outer edge portion, the seating tongue receiving
grooves being located peripherally outwardly of the gripping tongue
receiving grooves,
a light admitting and fluid impervious pliable plastic thermal
insulation sheet extending across the window space of the frame and
having its peripheral margins disposed correspondingly in the
gripping tongue receiving grooves and in the seating tongue
receiving grooves of the linear members,
a corresponding plurality of linear cover strips located externally
on the frame and situated within the confines thereof between the
window space and the outer edge portion and having corresponding
linear gripping tongues and linear seating tongues projecting from
the cover strip and disposed correspondingly in compression
gripping contact with the adjacent portions of the peripheral
margins of the plastic sheet and in releasable compression locking
engagement correspondingly with the adjacent gripping tongue
receiving grooves and seating tongue receiving grooves and arranged
for thereby maintaining the plastic sheet in substantially taut
condition across the window space and the cover strips in
substantially stationary disposition on the linear members with the
adjacent portions of the peripheral margins of the plastic sheet
interposed in compression gripping engagement respectively between
such gripping and seating tongues and grooves,
perimetric compression thermal insulation sealing means of
resilient compressible fluid impervious sponge material having
closed sponge spaces preventing fluid flow therethrough and in the
form of an outer facial layer continuously extending along the
outer edge portion of the linear members peripherally outwardly of
the enclosure frame for compression sealing facial contact
peripherally outwardly against a counterpart receiving frame
portion of an existing correspondingly sized and polygonally shaped
window opening structure to be thermally insulated thereby, and
handle means arranged for access when the device is positioned
against such counterpart frame portion to aid in removing the
device therefrom.
Description
The present invention relates to a window thermal insulation device
for thermal insulation of a window opening area, and more
particularly to such a device contemplating a minimum number of
elements readily assembled and usable as a simple removable insert
in a counterpart existing window opening structure.
In the past, outside storm windows have been used for added thermal
insulation purposes, but these are generally costly to produce,
often heavy and awkward in construction, rendering them cumbersome
and difficult to install and remove, and even dangerous in terms of
sealing off escape through a window covered thereby in the event of
an emergency such as a fire. While inside so-called storm windows
have also been used in the past, these also are usually costly to
produce and often heavy and awkward in construction, rendering them
cumbersome and difficult to install and remove. Besides, the
construction of such inside storm windows still leaves something to
be desired in the event of an emergency because they are normally
mounted in place in a semi-permanent manner with attachment
fixtures that cannot be quickly released for removal should escape
through the window become necessary.
It is among the objects and advantages of the present invention to
overcome the drawbacks and deficiencies of the prior art and to
provide an improved window thermal insulation device for thermal
insulation of a window opening area, which utilizes a minimum
number of widely available and inexpensive types of elements which
may be readily and easily assembled with reduced effort, labor,
material and production costs including tooling; which is durable
and robust in use yet relatively light in weight and easy to hold
and manipulate; and which permits simple and rapid installation and
removal and is therefore safe in terms of providing an available
escape route through the window in the event of an emergency.
It is among the additional objects and advantages of the present
invention to provide a device of the foregoing type which is highly
efficient in providing insulation from exchange of heat and/or cold
through the window area at which it is installed; which may be
mounted as an inside or outside storm window and in a manner
permitting easy removal for cleaning or storage; which is
essentially fire-proof and thus serves as an added protection when
installed as a so-called inside storm window; and which is adapted
to be used on both old and new window opening structures, with
equally favorable accommodation and thermal insulation results.
Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent from the within specification and accompanying
drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic elevational view of an embodiment of the
window thermal insulation device of the invention and its
disposition in a window opening frame structure, with the device
partially broken away to indicate a detail of construction;
FIG. 2 is a schematic enlarged sectional view taken along the line
2--2 of FIG. 1, showing the spatial relationship of the device of
the invention to a normal permanent window in the frame structure
as well as certain details of construction of the device
itself;
FIG. 3 is a schematic enlarged partially exploded view of portions
of the device of FIG. 1 which shows the manner in which the device
is assembled;
FIG. 4 is a schematic enlarged exploded sectional view of a portion
of the device of FIG. 1, showing particular details of
construction; and
FIG. 5 is a schematic enlarged partial sectional view of a corner
portion of the device as shown in FIG. 3, but in accordance with a
modified detail of construction of a portion of one of the elements
therein.
In accordance with the present invention, an improved window
thermal insulation device for thermal insulation of a window
opening area is advantageously provided. The device comprises a
plurality of individual linear members arranged in successive end
to end relation for forming a perimetric selectively sized and
shaped enclosure frame defining a window space therewithin, and a
corresponding plurality of individual stabilizing interconnectors
arranged for interconnecting correspondingly the adjacent ends of
the linear members and for maintaining the linear members in
successive end to end interconnected stable disposition.
Linear locking groove means are defined in the linear members and
extend therealong peripherally outwardly of the window space, and a
pliable thin plastic thermal insulation sheet is provided which
extends across the window space of the frame and has its peripheral
margins disposed correspondingly in the locking groove means of the
linear members.
In turn, a corresponding plurality of individual linear cover
strips are provided, having linear locking tongue means projecting
therefrom and disposed correspondingly in gripping contact with the
adjacent portions of the peripheral margins of the plastic sheet
and in releasable locking engagement with the adjacent locking
groove means and arranged for maintaining the plastic sheet in
substantially taut condition across the window space.
Significantly, perimetric compression thermal insulation sealing
means are also provided which extend along the linear members
peripherally outwardly of the enclosure frame for compression
sealing contact peripherally outwardly against a counterpart
receiving frame portion of an existing correspondingly sized and
shaped window opening structure to be thermally insulated by the
device.
Preferably, retaining insert means are provided in the
corresponding ends of the linear members. In this regard, the
interconnectors are in turn successively insertingly received in
the correspondingly opposed retaining insert means at the adjacent
ends of the linear members for interconnecting such adjacent ends
of such linear means and for maintaining the linear members in
successive end to end interconnected stable disposition. The
retaining insert means may be advantageously arranged to embrace
the adjacent portions of the interconnectors insertingly received
therein and suitably crimped thereagainst for maintaining the
interconnectors in substantially stationary and permanently fixed
disposition therein.
Specifically, the locking tongue means of the cover strips may
preferably include correspondingly gripping tongues and seating
tongues, and the locking groove means of the linear members in turn
may likewise include corresponding counterpart gripping tongue
receiving grooves and seating tongue receiving grooves for
operatively receiving the gripping tongues and seating tongues
respectively for maintaining the cover strips in substantially
stationary yet removable disposition on the linear means, with the
adjacent portions of the peripheral margins of the plastic sheet
interposed in gripping engagement between the gripping tongues and
gripping tongue receiving grooves and with the seating tongues in
seating engagement with the seating tongue receiving grooves.
In particular, the seating tongues may be suitably located
peripherally outwardly of the gripping tongues and the seating
tongue receiving grooves in turn may be likewise located
peripherally outwardly of the gripping tongue receiving grooves.
Accordingly, the adjacent portions of the peripheral margins of the
plastic sheet in such instance may advantageously extend
peripherally outwardly to the seating tongue receiving grooves and
also be interposed in gripping engagement between the seating
tongues and seating tongue receiving grooves.
In accordance with a particularly favorable preferred optional
feature of the present invention, the gripping tongues may be
advantageously provided with friction enhancing or roughened
surface portions for enhanced friction gripping surface contact
with the corresponding adjacent portions of the peripheral margins
of the plastic sheet thereat.
The perimetric sealing means may favorably be provided in the form
of a resilient compressible, fluid impervious sponge material, e.g.
of rubber or plastic, especially having closed sponge spaces
preventing fluid flow therethrough.
The plastic sheet may be suitably a light admitting and fluid
impervious sheet, and of course completely imperforate as well, so
as to prevent fluid flow therethrough in this instance also. The
plastic sheet is preferably substantially dimensionally stable
within its own plane and substantially resistant to tension forces
acting in the resultant direction of its own plane. The plastic
sheet is advantageously composed of nylon, and while it will
normally be colorless and completely transparent, it may
alternatively be provided in tinted color form, or be translucent
or even opaque, depending upon the particular purpose intended, as
the artisan will appreciate.
Referring to the drawing, and initially FIGS. 1 and 2, an
embodiment of the window thermal insulation device 1 according to
the invention is shown nested in a counterpart receiving frame
portion 2 of an existing window opening structure to be thermally
insulated by device 1 relative to the normal window 3 (FIG. 2).
Four individual straight linear structural members 4 (FIG. 2) are
arranged in successive longitudinal end to end conforming abutment
relation or contiguous relation for forming thereby a perimetric
selectively sized and right rectangularly shaped generally planar
enclosure frame 5 which defines a window space 6 therewithin and
which correspondingly has an outer perimetric edge portion or
outside boundary wall surface at the outermost point of its
periphery.
Retaining insert means 7, e.g. in the form of straight linear
internal cavities or troughs, are disposed in the ends, i.e. within
the end portions, of the linear members 4, and in fact may extend
throughout the full length of the linear members and constitute a
common continuous internal retaining means or cavity or trough 7,
if desired. Four corresponding stabilizing right angular internal
interconnectors 8 are successively insertingly received in the
correspondingly opposed retaining insert means or troughs 7 at the
adjacent ends, i.e. within such end portions, of the linear means
4, i.e. at the corners of the frame 5 and in completely hidden
condition internally within the linear members 4 at the internally
disposed retaining means or trough 7 therein. Interconnectors 8 are
arranged for interconnecting correspondingly the adjacent ends of
the linear members 4 and for maintaining the linear members in the
desired successive end to end, interconnected stable disposition,
i.e. at the corners of the frame 5.
It will be appreciated that the frame 5 may be provided of any
desired shape utilizing any suitable plurality of linear members
and corresponding interconnectors. Thus, the frame 5 may constitute
a selectively sized and shaped triangle, pentagon or other
polygonal shape and the interconnectors will vary in their angular
disposition accordingly, e.g. having an acute angle for a
triangular frame shape, or an obtuse angle for a pentagonal or
other polygonal frame shape. Moreover, the frame may take the
selective size and shape of a particular circle or ellipse, or the
like, in which case the linear members and interconnectors will be
appropriately arcuate or curvi-linear in shape.
Such alternative sizes and shapes of course will depend upon the
corresponding size and shape of the counterpart receiving frame
portion of the existing window opening structure with respect to
which the device of the invention is to be used, as the artisan
will appreciate.
Linear locking groove means, e.g. in the form of corresponding
straight linear gripping tongue receiving grooves 9 and straight
linear seating tongue receiving grooves 10, are defined in the
linear members 4 and extend therealong peripherally outwardly of
the window space 6 and inwardly of the outer perimetric edge
portion or boundary edge of the frame. The seating grooves 10 are
suitably located peripherally outwardly of the gripping grooves
9.
A light admitting and fluid impervious pliable plastic thermal
insulation sheet 11, e.g. an imperforate transparent nylon sheet,
extends across the window space 6 of the frame 5 and has its
peripheral margins 12 (FIG. 4) disposed correspondingly in the
gripping grooves 9 and in the seating grooves 10 of the linear
members 4.
Four straight external linear cover strips 13, i.e. located
externally on the frame 5 and situated within the width confines of
the frame between the window space 6 and the outer perimetric edge
portion or boundary edge of the frame 5, are provided with
counterpart linear locking tongue means, e.g. in the form of
corresponding straight linear gripping tongues 14 and straight
linear seating tongues 15, projecting therefrom. These tongue means
are disposed correspondingly in compression gripping contact with
the adjacent portions of the peripheral margins 12 of the plastic
sheet 11 and in compression locking engagement with the adjacent
locking groove means and arranged for maintaining the plastic sheet
in substantially taut or tight condition across the window space 6
and the peripheral margins 12 thereof correspondingly in
compressively lockingly engaged and compressively seatingly engaged
condition (FIGS. 2 and 4).
Specifically, the gripping tongues 14 and seating tongues 15 are
disposed correspondingly in gripping contact with the adjacent
portions of the peripheral margins 12 of the plastic sheet 11 and
in releasably locking engagement correspondingly with the
counterpart adjacent gripping tongue receiving grooves 9 and
seating tongue receiving grooves 10 which operatively receive them.
Such cooperating tongues and grooves are accordingly arranged for
maintaining the plastic sheet 11 in substantially taut or tight
condition across the window space 6 and the cover strips 13 in
substantially stationary yet removable disposition on the linear
members 4.
Of course, the adjacent portions of the peripheral margins 12 of
the plastic sheet 11 are interposed in gripping engagement
respectively between such gripping and seating tongues and grooves,
14, 15 and 9, 10, as the case may be, so that the engagement
between the tongues and grooves contemplates the intervening
presence of the plastic sheet thereat.
Optionally, if desired, the peripheral margins 12 of the plastic
sheet 11 may be sized to extend only to the cooperating gripping
tongue receiving grooves 9 and gripping tongues 14, whereupon the
contact between the cooperating seating tongue receiving grooves 10
and seating tongues 15 will be a direct friction fit contact while
that between the cooperating gripping tongue receiving grooves 9
and gripping tongues 14 will be an indirect friction fit contact
through the plastic sheet 11 sandwiched therebetween.
If desired, the gripping tongues may be provided with optional
friction enhancing surface portions or roughened portions or
surfaces 16 for enhanced friction gripping surface contact with the
corresponding adjacent portions of the peripheral margins 12 of the
plastic sheet 11 thereat (FIG. 4). Such friction surfaces 16 can be
provided in the form of knurled areas, linearly scored areas, or
the like, as the artisan will appreciate, whereby to enhance the
gripping of the plastic sheet 11 between the corresponding tongues
and grooves.
Perimetric compression thermal insulation sealing means 17, e.g. in
the form of resilient compressible, fluid impervious rubber or
plastic sponge material, extends continuously in the form of an
outer facial layer (FIGS. 1 and 4) along the linear members 4
peripherally outwardly of the enclosure frame 5 and outwardly
bounds the same for compression sealing facial contact peripherally
outwardly against the counterpart receiving frame portion 2 of the
existing correspondingly or complementally sized and shaped window
opening structure in connection with which the device 1 is to be
used.
Because of the dead weight it must bear, the underside sealing
means portion 18 is advantageously composed of a structurally
stronger and less resiliently compressible or denser sponge
material than that of the remaining or lighter density sponge
material lateral and upper side sealing means portion 19.
Perimetric sealing means 17 may be suitably permanently bonded by
an adhesive or the like to the perimeter of the frame 5 along and
in contact with the outside outer edge portion or wall surface of
the linear members 4 thereat, as the artisan will appreciate.
Furthermore, handle means 20 may be suitably provided on the device
1 and arranged for access when the device is positioned in nested
relation against such counterpart frame portion 2, to aid in
removing the device therefrom (FIGS. 1 and 2).
Handle means 20 may comprise for instance a nylon strap folded on
itself and extending from its freely disposed and readily graspable
loop portion positioned outwardly of the front or exterior side of
the device 1, rearwardly under the outer edge of the denser sponge
material underside sealing means portion or strip 18 to its ends
located, e.g. via a fastening means such as a rivet 21, on the rear
or interior side of the device.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the frame 5 is assembled by inserting
the four interconnectors 8 into the retaining insert means 7 at the
correspondingly opposed ends of the successively end to end
arranged linear members 4 whereby to form corner connections.
This may be suitably accomplished through the simple expedient of
sliding the corresponding cooperating parts into telescoping
relation with one another until the opposed ends of the linear
members abut with one another at the miter joint thereat and the
opposed arm portions of the interconnectors are completely
insertingly received in the correspondingly opposed retaining
insert means or troughs 7. Normally, this operation will be
accomplished before the four cover strips 13 are mounted on the
linear members 4.
Hence, by the use of a simple crimping tool, the end portions of
the linear means defining the retaining insert means or troughs 7
may be conveniently crimped against the adjacent portion of the
corresponding interconnector 8 slidingly received therein, to form
crimped areas 22 stationarily and permanently fixedly joining these
parts in stable disposition to prevent separation of the frame 5
(FIGS. 1, 3 and 4).
It will be seen that in fact the retaining insert means or troughs
7 are advantageously arranged to embrace substantially
surroundingly captively (FIG. 4) the adjacent arm portions of the
interconnectors 8 insertingly received therein, to permit the
corresponding end portion of the vicinal structure of the linear
means 4 constituting such retaining insert means or troughs 7 to be
readily crimped against such interconnector arm portions for the
desired purposes (FIGS. 4 and 5).
Moreover, by providing the cross section complemental profiles of
the interconnectors 8 and retaining insert means or troughs 7 in
other than a circular shape, e.g. right rectangular shape, these
interconnected parts will avoid any possible tendency toward
rotation of the various sides of the frame 5 and thereby prevent
displacement of such frame out of its normal intended planar
disposition (FIGS. 4 and 5).
As shown in FIG. 4, upon alignment of the plastic sheet 11 over the
frame 5, e.g. on a horizontal support surface (not shown), the
adjacent portion of the peripheral margin 12 of the plastic sheet
is interposed between the particular linear member 4 and cover
strip 13. Then the cover strip is forced by snap friction fit,
either manually or by a simple forcing tool, downwardly into
locking engagement with the linear member. This will force the
peripheral margin 12 thereat between the tongues 14 and 15 and the
counterpart grooves 9 and 10, respectively.
After one side of the plastic sheet 11 is anchored in place in this
manner, the opposite side may be so anchored by repeating the
operation, taking care to keep the plastic sheet in smooth, taut
disposition and to avoid the presence of wrinkles in the plastic
sheet. Thereafter, each of the remaining lateral sides of the
plastic sheet may be in turn anchored in place by further repeating
the operation successively, taking like care to keep the plastic
sheet in smooth, taut disposition.
Any exposed edges of the plastic sheet 11 extending beyond the
perimeter of the outer corresponding edges of the cover strip 13 at
this point may be simply trimmed away by a suitable knife or other
cutting tool. This will provide a neat appearance for the frame 5,
and one which is free from wrinkles in the plastic sheet 11
disposed across the window space 6 thereof.
In that condition, the plastic sheet 11 will be advantageously taut
or tight and substantially dimensionally stable within its own
plane as well as substantially resistant to tension forces acting
in the resultant direction of its own plane, as where nylon or
similar plastic material possessing these qualities is used as the
material for the plastic sheet 11.
As may be appreciated from FIG. 2, in this regard, any force acting
transversely of the plane of the exposed area of the plastic sheet
11 in the window space 6, such as might be generated by pushing a
finger against the plastic sheet thereat, will act to place the
plastic sheet under tension stretching forces. These tension forces
will be resolved in the resultant direction of the normal common
plane of the plastic sheet and will be inherently resisted by the
substantially dimensionally stable and tension resisting forces
inherently possessed by the plastic sheet material itself, as
aforesaid.
It will be seen from FIGS. 4 and 5 that the seating tongue 15 of
each cover strip 13 is advantageously provided with a latch bead
15a and that the corresponding seating groove 10 of each linear
member 4 is provided with a counterpart lock bead 10a, whereby to
achieve a positive releasable locking engagement between these
parts and a more complete seating of the adjacent portion of the
peripheral margin 12 of the plastic sheet 11 thereat.
This complements the positive forced friction fit between the
corresponding gripping tongue 14 of the cover strip 13 and the
gripping groove 9 of the linear member 4 adjacent thereto, and
which is enhanced where the gripping tongue 14 is provided with an
increased friction surface 16 for contact with the adjacent portion
of the peripheral margin 12 of the plastic sheet 11 thereat.
Provision may be made in the linear members 4 for an optional
mounting recess 23, if desired, for use in mounting any additive
fixture or element to the device 1, for instance a further or
supplemental sealing strip (not shown) sized and shaped at its base
portion for forced friction fit insertion along such mounting
recess 23.
As an added modification detail, as shown in FIG. 5, the gripping
tongue 14 of each cover strip 13 may be provided with an optional
central V-shaped groove 14a in its distal or free end portion to
contribute added resiliency to the gripping tongue when placed in
locking engagement with the counterpart gripping groove 9 of the
linear member 4 thereat. Similar resiliency will also inherently be
provided in the locking engagement between the seating tongue 15 of
each cover strip 13 and the counterpart seating groove 10 of the
linear member 4 thereat by reason of the reduced or thinner width
dimension of the seating tongue relative to its length (FIGS. 4 and
5).
Such resiliency will be effective due to the natural resilient
reserve in the basic material used to form the cover strips 13 and
linear members 4, as where aluminum or similar metal or metallic
material possessing these qualities is used as the material for
these frame parts.
Hence, should the need arise to replace the plastic sheet 11 for
any reason, for instance in the event of accidental damage thereto
by puncturing, tearing or the like, the cover strips 13 may be
readily and easily removed, either manually with a simple prying
tool or by a specially designed tool, as the artisan will
appreciate.
Such can be accomplished without marring or damaging the frame
parts by taking ordinary care to pry off each cover strip
incrementally along the exposed seam or interface between such
cover strip and the counterpart linear member thereat. After
replacing the plastic sheet 11 by a like substitute sheet, the
cover strip in each instance can be remounted in accordance with
the procedure previously described.
Because of the inherent resilient quality of the material used to
form the cover strips 13 and linear members 4 such removal and
replacement of the cover strips can be carried out with a minimum
of effort. It will be realized in this regard that the removal of
the cover strips 13 in no way affects the basic stable disposition
of the frame 5 since the interconnectors 8 are permanently fixed,
e.g. by crimping at crimped areas 22 of the retaining insert means
or troughs 7, to the corresponding linear members 4.
Preferably, the linear members 4, interconnectors 8 and cover
strips 13 will be formed as simple extruded metal products in
appropriate dies of simple and inexpensive design. Of course, the
interconnectors will thereafter be subjected first to a cutting
step and then to a bending step to achieve the desired size and,
e.g. right, angular configuration, and the linear members and cover
strips will similarly be subjected to a cutting step to achieve the
desired size and miter joint corners for producing the frame.
While metal material as described above is preferred for producing
the pertinent structural components of the frame, it will be
appreciated that other materials, especially plastic materials such
as nylon or the like may also be used therefor instead, so long as
the basic objects and purposes of the present invention are
likewise achieved thereby.
As will be appreciated from the foregoing, the device of the
present invention constitutes a composite unitary assembly which
may be inserted into and nested in a counterpart frame portion of
an existing window opening structure in spaced relation to the
normal window thereat (FIG. 2), so as to form an insulating air
space therebetween, impervious to fluid flow through the device,
and thus effectively providing thermal insulation against exchange
of heat or cold therethrough, and regardless of whether the device
is mounted as an exterior storm window or as a so-called interior
storm window. Preferably, however, the device will be mounted as
such interior storm window.
By reason of the inherent resiliency of the perimetric sealing
means 17, the same will be able to accommodate advantageously any
slight variations in dimensions and local unevenness as may exist
in the counterpart frame portion of the existing window opening
structure in which it is insertingly mounted, all without detriment
to the thermal insulation effect desired. Thus, the device may be
suitably made in standard window opening sizes and need not be
tailored individually to the exact dimensions, contour and
configuration of the counterpart frame portion of the existing
window opening structure in question.
Moreover, by reason of such perimetric sealing means 17, the device
may be simply pushed the desired distance into the counterpart
frame portion cavity in resilient friction fit therewith, where it
will remain in stable, static and self-disposed condition without
the need for any attachment fixtures or extraneous connection means
at all. To remove the device, the user need merely grasp the
exposed handle means 20 and pull until the device travels outwardly
that same distance from the counterpart frame portion cavity and/or
sufficiently to be manually held and transported from the site.
As noted above, by providing the lowermost portion of the
perimetric sealing means 17 as a dense sponge material 18, the full
static or dead weight resultant load of the device 1 may be readily
accommodated thereon indefinitely without the device parting at the
top lighter density sponge material 19 from its normal sealing
disposition against the adjacent top portion of the counterpart
frame portion thereat. Naturally, the width or thickness dimension
of the perimetric sealing means 17 will be selected relative to the
complemental size of the counterpart frame portion with respect to
which it is intended to be used, so as to provide a slightly larger
perimeter than that of the counterpart frame portion to insure a
snug and resiliently tight fit throughout the entire extent of
their common contact and disposition as well as a corresponding
tight and fluid impervious seal therebetween.
In case of an emergency, the device 1 when used as a so-called
inside storm window may be rapidly removed by pulling the handle
20, and when used as an outside storm window may be equally rapidly
removed, after opening the normal window, by simply pushing
outwardly against device 1.
As may be seen schematically from FIG. 3, the plastic sheet 11 at
the corner portions of the peripheral margins 12 thereof may be
optionally cut away to form corner notches 12a for more even
disposition in the corner portions of the frame where some
gathering of the plastic sheet 11 will normally occur.
Alternatively, the opposed notched edges of such notches 12a may be
fused or cemented together, e.g. by use of heat or a known
adhesive, as the case may be, to provide for a more efficient
seating of the plastic sheet 11 in the corner portions of the frame
5.
The slight convex or beveled shape resulting from such fusing or
cementing at the corner portions of the peripheral margins 12
thereat in accordance with this alternative modification will
enhance the seating disposition of the plastic sheet 11 in place on
the frame 5, as the artisan will appreciate.
This is especially advantageous where such fused or cemented convex
or beveled corner modified plastic sheet is intended to be provided
in selective standard sizes as a replacement sheet, since such form
will lend itself to facile positioning in the frame 5 in taut
condition so as to enable the cover strips 13 to be remounted in
place on the corresponding linear members 4 as described above,
i.e. for releasable locking and seating engagement between the
continuous tongue means on the cover strips and continuous groove
means on the linear members.
Of course, the device 1 will be preferably provided in selective
standard sizes and shapes for use in counterpart sized and shaped
window opening structures.
Thus, the device according to the present invention, advantageously
due to its improved construction, utilizes a minimum number or
widely available and inexpensive types of elements which may be
readily and easily assembled with reduced effort, labor, material
and production costs including tooling; which is durable and robust
in use yet relatively light in weight and easy to hold and
manipulate; and which permits simple and rapid installation and
removal and is therefore safe in terms of providing an available
escape route through the window in the event of an emergency.
Furthermore, the instant device, also advantageously due to its
improved construction, is highly efficient in providing insulation
from exchange of heat and/or cold through the window area at which
it is installed; may be mounted as an inside or outside storm
window and in a manner permitting easy removal for cleaning or
storage; is essentially fire-proof and thus serves as an added
protection when installed as a so-called inside storm window; and
is adapted to be used on both old and new window opening structures
with equally favorable accommodation and thermal insulation
results.
It will be appreciated that the foregoing specification and
drawings are set forth by way of illustration and not limitation of
the present invention, and that various changes and modifications
may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of
the present invention which is to be limited solely by the scope of
the appended claims.
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